Product Bulletin: Volkswagen Tiguan 2009-2015 Brake System

[bendix]

The 2009-2015 Volkswagen Tiguan [5N] is a compact SUV packed with technology. As with many modern brake systems specific procedures for fault diagnosis, brake repair and servicing must be carried out. Two key components in the Tiguan’s braking system need consideration when a vehicle has poor braking performance; the vacuum pump and the electronic parking brake.

Diagnosing Brake Booster Problems:

Turbocharged models use a vacuum pump to provide additional vacuum to the brake booster. Over time the Vacuum pump seals can become brittle resulting in pump failure or weak vacuum.

Symptoms of failure include:

• A hard or wooden pedal feel
• A change in pedal feel as the engine warms up
• An oil leak that looks like a rear main seal issue.

Placing a vacuum gauge between the vacuum pump and the booster will confirm if repair or replacement is required.

Changing the Rear Brakes (DB1865 EURO+)

All models use Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) technology, this allows the vehicle to engage or disengage the parking brakes at the touch of a button.

Service procedures to replace the rear pads require;

• A scan tool to retract the rear caliper pistons
• You may be required to reset the piston further with a clamp to fully retract the piston.
• EPB sets the parking brake when the keys are removed from the ignition, it’s important once the pistons have been retracted into the calipers to disconnect the battery and discharge the electrical system.
• Once the new pads are fitted the calipers can be reset by applying the brake, then activating the EPB.

Auto-Hold:

As with EPB all models feature AutoHold, which retains the braking pressure from coming to a stop and applies this to the parking brake. ABS wheel speed sensors will detect any movement and increase the braking force to stop the car. When the accelerator is pressed again or the clutch is released, AutoHold releases the brakes.

If brake pads are worn or the caliper has seized, the driver may notice the brakes drag or do not disengage smoothly. To carry out repairs or inspection Auto-hold must be disabled;

• For 2010-2011 models this can be turned on or off manually with the button next to the parking brake.
• 2012 models, the system is on all the time, and is disabled using the driver information display menu, this requires the seatbelt to be fastened and the doors closed.

For information on pressure bleeding the Tiguan’s brakes, visit: www.bendix.com.au